Sweden important when the EU looks for sources of critical raw materials

Raw materials are increasingly important when the EU move towards climate smart technology. The FRAME project is now making progress in identifying mineral resources in EU – where Sweden can become an important player.

In order to reach the goals within Agenda 2030 and the Paris agreement, we need climate smart technology such as electric cars, wind turbines and solar power. This technology requires metals and minerals we have not previously used or mined much of, such as cobalt, indium, graphite and rare earth elements. These so called critical raw materials are mined in parts of the world where environmental protection and working conditions are worse, sometimes even associated with human rights violations. Sweden and the EU are dependent on imports of these minerals today, however the demand is increasing, and supply is uncertain.

The FRAME project is working with increasing the knowledge about critical raw materials. The aim is to better understand mineral potential and prospectivity of areas within the EU. SGU is leading two of the work packages in FRAME (WP3 and WP6). I WP3 which now has developed a methodology on identification and selection of strategic minerals. The next step will be to map where these minerals can be found in the EU today as well as increase our knowledge about them. The goal will be to use this knowledge to find areas in the EU where there is potential to find mineral resources.

Sweden has large potential for several of the critical raw materials, both in the bedrock and in historical mine waste. Cobalt, which is important in the production of batteries, is one of the minerals that have a large potential to be found and produced in Sweden.